Tag Archives: France 24 Videos

Culture/History: The Many Lives Of Abbeys In France

FRANCE 24 (March 21, 2023) – Once important seats of Christian worship, and now treasures of the country’s heritage, French abbeys often have surprising histories. That’s the case of Fontevraud abbey, in the former duchy of Anjou. Run by a woman during its heyday, the abbey was turned into a prison after the French Revolution.

In Alsace, the abbey of Mont Sainte-Odile is famous for its supposedly miraculous spring water. Finally, on the outskirts of Montpellier, Valmagne abbey used to be a wine cellar. Visitors can still observe the gigantic barrels that were once used to store thousands of litres of wine.

African Culture: Women’s Voices & Arts In Morocco

FRANCE 24 (March 17, 2023) – Morocco is often hailed for its stability, its position as a regional leader in women’s rights and for having a rich cultural history. But it’s still a largely male-dominated society. So what does that mean for women in the arts?

Eve Jackson meets three female creatives in and around Morocco’s frenetic commercial hub Casablanca, who are making space for themselves in their craft by using their art to protect and celebrate their heritage, while at the same time creating constructive conversations about subjects sometimes considered sensitive in the kingdom.

Tours: Inside France’s Most Beautiful Gardens

FRANCE 24 (March 15, 2023) – The most beautiful gardens in France are the fruit of monumental work by men and women, in partnership with Mother Nature. In the north of Corsica, the magnificent floral paradise of Parc de Saleccia was born from the ashes of a terrible fire in 1974.

Much further north, near Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, the Château de La Ballue is most remarkable for its listed gardens, where geometric shapes abound. Finally, on the French Riviera, the luxurious Eilenroc villa is especially famous for its rose garden, with varieties named after film stars.

Culture: Scallops, Ciders & Caramels In Normandy

With its chalk cliffs and its bright green meadows, the French region of Normandy offers stunning scenery but also iconic local produce. It’s in this unique landscape that cider producer Guillaume Capelle grows apples, the local fruit, to make the world-famous Calvados brandy.

Meanwhile, Pierre Marie is hoping for a good season for scallop fishing – another emblematic product of Normandy, along with Isigny butter and caramels. For the latter two to see the light of day, dairy farmer Pierre Aubril pampers his Normandy cows, who produce up to 1,200 litres of 100 percent organic milk every day.

Environment: ‘Guardians Of The Glaciers’ In France

FRANCE 24 English (February 7, 2023) – Glaciers are increasingly threatened by climate change. The French Alps are home to more than 4,000 of these fascinating natural monuments, of which 80 to 90 percent are set to disappear by 2100 due to global warming.

Among the most emblematic glaciers is the Mer de Glace, or Sea of Ice, which retreats a little more each year, under the watchful eye of tourists. Meanwhile, the Bossons glacier reveals aircraft debris that was thought to be lost forever. FRANCE 24 went to meet some of the guardians of the glaciers.

German Villages: Seiffen – Home Of The Nutcracker

FRANCE 24 English – For centuries, this small German town has been making these Christmas traditions by hand.

Seiffen is a charming “Toy Story” village in eastern Germany’s wooded Erzgebirge (known in English as the Ore Mountains). Located off the beaten tourist path, minutes from the Czech Republic border, it’s the 19th-century birthplace of nutcrackers, the whimsical wooden figures that are a traditional symbol of Christmas in many cultures.

France Views: The 2022 ‘Lyon Festival Of Lights’

FRANCE 24 English – The annual Festival of Lights – a spectacular display of illuminations projected on historical monuments and public buildings across town – kicked off in Lyon in France this Thursday. But with Europe in the grip of an energy crisis, this year’s extravaganza has also been designed to use as little electricity as possible while still putting on a memorable show.

News: U.S. Precision Bombs To Ukraine, Venezuela Politics, China Protests

The Pentagon considers a new plan to provide Ukraine with precision bombs that could hit far behind Russian lines. Plus: Are Venezuela’s government and opposition finding some common ground? And how long will Beijing tolerate protests?

Pentagon Mulling Cheap, Precision Strike Weapon For Ukraine As Arms Makers Wrestle With Demand

The West has struggled to meet Ukraine's demand for more arms. (file photo)
The West has struggled to meet Ukraine’s demand for more arms. (file photo)

French Cuisine: The Many Delights Of Normandy

One of the best things about France is its food. Each region has its own culinary wonders that reflect the area’s culture and history. Join Genie Godula and Florence Villeminot as they embark on a road trip to discover France’s regions through gastronomy.

Their first stop is Normandy. Known for its world-famous beaches and towering monuments – like the Mont-Saint-Michel – the region is also a foodie’s paradise. From the creamy delight that is Camembert to the apple brandy named Calvados, we take you to discover the region of Normandy through its culinary specialties.